“Okay, brilliant. You have no plan. So let me talk directly to Ivy. Lauren has you backed into a corner with not many options. You’re emotional, irrational even. You’re certainly not thinking straight, but take a minute and figure this out. Did you hear anything from the cops?” Will leans back on his elbows after taking a sip. He’s enjoying this way too much.
“No, but Ryan took my phone. I don’t know if they’ve been leaving me messages or not.” Ivy slumps against the wall while continuing to hold my hand. I hate seeing her so defeated.
“Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say?” Will hovers over the sink, peering at the rain through the window.
“What are you getting at?” A sense of tiredness is creeping into Ivy’s voice. Her brain is muddled after not getting a lick of sleep last night.
“And no one’s called you, Eric? Even though your name is mentioned in the fourth paragraph? I thought your phone would be ringing off the hook since you’re front page news and all.” Will shifts his weight from his right foot to his left, agitated that it’s taking us so long to realize the point he’s trying to make.
“What does it even say about me? I didn’t get a chance to read it.” Something is off here. I hate to admit it, but Will’s right. My dad, at least, would have mentioned something when Ivy talked to him this morning.
“It doesn’t matter.” Will rolls his eyes and quite easily dismisses me.
“Oh yes it does.” I start to get up. I refuse to be baited by this asshole in my own house. He’s either going to give us some answers or I’m kicking his sorry ass to the curb. Something I should have done the moment he started threatening us.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s my life that’s about to get fucked up, not yours.” Will exhales dramatically, setting his mug down. “Because this paper isn’t real.”
“Will, what the hell are you talking about?” Ivy is near hysterics. He’s playing with us like this is some kind of game—or is he?
“There’s only one copy, and I’m holding it.” Will whips it open and throws it at our feet. “Lauren had a mock version made up to scare you. Ryan doesn’t intend to press any charges. C’mon, do you really think that family would air its dirty laundry in public? You two are far more gullible than I thought.”
“You have to be kidding me? She went through all this trouble…for what?” Ivy’s head is about to explode, but I think I see where this is going.
“You refused her darling stepbrother,” Will says, pointing at Ivy. “You had the audacity to refuse the queen bee, herself,” he continues, pointing at me. “Did you think you were going to just walk away into the sunset? Guys, this isn’t a movie. We’re talking about Lauren Price here.”
“And let me guess? She wanted Ivy to leave me so this would all go away.” Now it’s my turn to slouch against the wall.
“Not only that, she was going to keep stringing Ivy along until you agreed to marry her. That’s when I knew she was crazy. Diabolically smart, but crazy.” Will, not having had enough caffeine, refills his empty mug.
“But why did you decide to tell us? It doesn’t make any sense.” Ivy’s brow furrows as she plays with the cuff of my shirt.
“Because I always had a thing for you, Ivy.” Will shoots her a dazzling smile and my gut clenches. This could actually turn out worse that I thought.
“Cut the crap, Will. We both know that’s not the case. What’s the real reason?” And in those few words Ivy utters, my hope is restored. Whether she knows it or not, her effectively cutting Will down to size emphatically shows me just how much she’s over him. For some reason, it’s something I needed to hear. I accept the fact that I can never be the first guy she loved, as long as I’m the last.
“All right, I’ll level with you. What the hell? I came back here this summer, not to organize some low budget film festival. Please, give me a break. Do you think I’d leave L.A. for this? Not a chance.” It kills me to admit it but it’s like there’s a freaking celebrity standing in my kitchen. The guy looks that good. It’s pathetic.
“So, Will, why did you come back?” My sarcasm is grating but he fails to acknowledge it.
“Because I’m on a scouting mission. I pitched the idea of a screenplay about this area to one of the major producers in Hollywood, way bigger than Lauren’s uncle, that’s for damn sure.” He chuckles like he’s letting us in on some kind of inside joke. “This backwater town has indie cred written all over it. The blue collar vibe. The local color. The small town authenticity. It screams Academy Awards, especially in the hands of the right casting director.”
“You’re kidding.” Ivy can’t conceal her contempt.
“No, I’m dead serious. They came out here last night to get a feel for the place, firsthand. And they freaking loved it. The atmosphere. The tone. The mood. They gave the project a green light. The only thing that’s missing is the script.” He pauses, drumming his fingers on the counter. “At first, I wanted to get close to you, Eric. You have one heart-wringer of a tale there, man. But they thought it was too Lifetime.”
“How dare you…” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.
“Hold up. I’m not trying to insult all that you went through. I’m talking from a purely business standpoint, okay? They’re looking for sex, deceit, revenge, and Lauren’s given us all three, wouldn’t you say?” Will’s grinning from ear to ear now. “I’ve got my story and I’m ready to kiss this sorry-ass town goodbye.”
“So you’re going to write it about Lauren? Won’t she know?” I can’t help but wonder at Will’s flawed sense of logic. “Won’t she come after you?”
“I’ll fictionalize it as much as I can. I won’t name names. But it doesn’t get any juicier than this. I can crank it out in no time. We could even be in production by the end of the year, if all goes well.” There’s a faraway look on Will’s face, like he’s forgotten that we’re even sitting here. “I could be younger than Matt Damon and Ben Affleck when they won an Oscar for Good Will Hunting. Can you fucking believe that?”
Ivy and I shake our heads in disbelief.
“I know, right? Of course, the two of you will have to be mentioned in some capacity. But I think I just did you a big enough favor that you’ll allow me some creative liberties.” He claps his hands together like it’s a done deal. “And what is really crazy is that you’ll all still be living here stepping on each other’s toes. The potential for sequels and spin-offs is unreal.”
“Will, I don’t…” Ivy starts.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m sure the two of you can take care of yourselves now that I’ve gotten Lauren off your back.” He places his mug in the sink before glancing at his gold watch. “Listen, I have a plane to catch. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime…or not.”
Ivy and I watch as he gives us a halfhearted wave before breezing out the door.
“Did that really just happen?” Ivy asks, her eyes wide.
“Yeah, I think it did.” I meet her bewildered gaze with my own.
We sit against the wall trying to absorb it all.
“So I guess my internship is officially over,” she says, curling her feet beneath her.
“I would say so,” I concur, idly bumping her knee with mine.
“I figured as much.” She doesn’t sound too upset.
“But if you want to fight it, Will left you irrefutable proof to back up your story.” I nudge the discarded newspaper with my toe, bringing it to her attention.
“I think that’s already caused enough damage, don’t you?” She gives me a sly wink. “The bad karma surrounding that thing has to be off the charts. There’s no way I’m showing it to my advisor. It’d only stir things up, don’t you think?”
“Probably.” I hate to concede defeat, especially when Ivy’s in the right on this.
“And they can keep my phone. I’ll get another.” She’s unburdening herself of her problems one by one. It has to feel good.
“What about your car?” We may as well sort
everything out while we’re at it.
“I have roadside assistance. I’ll have them tow it to the nearest garage and pick it up when it’s done.” With everything straightened out, she stands up, holding out her hands for me to join her.
“What are you going to do about school?” It’s the final item on the agenda, but it’s the one that has the power to tear us apart.
“Honestly? I don’t know yet. We’ll see what my advisor tells me and take it from there.” She’s dodging the subject for now, but after the morning we’ve had, I can’t say that I blame her.
“Do you still need a change of clothes? I can have my dad pick up some things before he gets here.” I focus on the practical. Ivy is standing in front of me. She’s still here. I have to learn to live in the present and quit worrying about the future.
“You know what? Don’t bother. I don’t have to face Lauren now, so my day’s wide open. I’ll tie a bed sheet around me if I have to.” She laces her fingers through mine as I get up off the floor. “I’ll man the garden center and pick out something to wear. If your dad can come back and help me when you’re done with your appointment, that’d be great. It’s about time I got my feet wet.”
“Are you sure?” I don’t know what to make of her plan. It sounds like she’s having a change of heart. Why does she want to learn the ropes all of a sudden? Is she seriously thinking about forsaking college and working alongside me? It’s hard to say if that makes me happy or not.
“Positive. You need to rest when you get home, and why should you miss out on your busiest day of the week? I can handle it. Trust me.” She pats me on the back and proceeds to clear what remains of our breakfast.
The doorbell rings again, and this time I know it’s my dad. Shep is barking like a mad man, knowing he always has a dog biscuit or two in his pocket. I look down and realize I’m still in my underwear. This is about to get really awkward. There’s no way I can run upstairs and throw something on. Shep is going ballistic.
I open the door a crack as Shep paws at my bare leg. “Dad, I’ll be right down. I just have to get dressed.”
“Son, aren’t you going to invite me in? I’m getting soaked standing out here.” He looks mildly perturbed as the wind sends the rain sideways against the house.
“I won’t be more than two minutes.” I try to stand my ground, but Shep is pushing the door open with his head, anxious for the treats he’s being denied.
“Don’t be silly. I can wait in the kitchen.” He steps into the foyer and I realize I’m fighting a losing battle. He already knows Ivy’s here. He grunts when he sees what I’m wearing. “Rough night?”
“You could say that.” I try to be as evasive as I can.
“Those bruises don’t look too good.” A worried frown crosses his face.
“They don’t feel too good either.” I don’t hear any dishes rattling. What is Ivy doing in there?
“Hi, Frank. Good to see you again.” It’s Ivy, descending the stairs…and she’s wearing one of Cassidy’s outfits. I do a double take when I realize what she’s done, the line that she’s crossed.
“You too, Ivy.” I think my dad understands what’s going on when he sees me tense up.
“Well, it looks like I’m the only one who’s none too pleased.” I can’t control my anger. “Ivy, I want you out of my house.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ivy
“Eric, what’s wrong?” At first, I think he’s kidding, but when he doesn’t smile I start to get nervous.
“C’mon, son. She didn’t know. Give her a break.” Eric’s dad is trying to placate his son but I have no idea why.
“It doesn’t matter. She shouldn’t be poking around where she doesn’t belong. She has no right.” The rage in his tone is palpable, and it slams against my heart. But he’s finally given me a clue as to why he’s so angry.
“I went looking for something to wear. I found these in a drawer in one of the spare rooms. I hope it’s all right.” My explanation only appears to be making him even more upset. His eyes rake over the white shorts that I’m wearing, lingering on the pale pink t-shirt with a scattered rosebud print. I never thought he was capable of looking at me like that, with such ferocity. I grip the banister as I inadvertently start to tremble under his reproachful gaze.
“It’s not all right. It’s anything but all right.” He storms by me up the stairs, bumping my arm as he passes. “Dad, drive her home.”
“But what about your doctor’s appointment?” I blurt out even though he’s not talking to me.
“Take her home!” he bellows from the top of the steps before slamming the door to his bedroom.
“Come with me, Ivy. It’s best not to bother him when he gets like this.” Eric’s dad waves me forward and I automatically follow his lead. My brain has shut off as I furiously try to blink away the tears that are threatening to fall.
We get in his car and don’t say anything to each other for a while. Eric’s dad seems as lost in his thoughts as I am in mine. I don’t really feel much like talking especially after I’ve been slobbering into my sleeve since we left the house. I’m exhausted, stressed out, and on information overload. I couldn’t help breaking down in front of his dad. My emotions refused to be contained.
As we reach the outskirts of town, I get control of myself and take a deep breath to regain my composure. I’m completely in the dark about what happened back there. I need answers, and Eric’s dad is going to give them to me.
“Why did he react like that?” I sound hoarse and brittle but I somehow manage to croak out my question.
“It’s because you’re wearing Cassidy’s clothes.” His response ricochets around my heart. “He didn’t save many of her things, but I remember that’s the shirt Eric bought her for her seventeenth birthday. It was the first gift he ever gave her after they went to the prom together. She wore it all the time and he held on to it. I guess it had some kind of sentimental value to the two of them.”
“I had an inkling they might be hers, but I didn’t think he’d get so…” I shake my head, trying to remove the image of Eric screaming at me.
“Possessive? Yeah, there’s a lot of things my son still has to work through. Lately, he’s been putting up a good front that everything’s okay, but deep down he’s still hurting. He’s just getting better at hiding it.” Eric’s dad takes his eyes off the road, giving me a meaningful look. “Has he shown you the nursery before or did you just wander in there on your own?”
“That room was going to be the nursery?” I swallow hard, realizing for the first time the magnitude of my mistake.
“Yeah, I haven’t even been inside it before. He keeps it pretty private, like it’s his sanctuary or something.” He scratches his beard as if he can’t quite comprehend his son’s motivations. “I’m afraid it’s more like a tomb. You didn’t see a crib in there by any chance, did you?”
“No,” I respond as my mind tries to grasp that revelation.
“Good, then it’s not as bad as I feared. He must have gotten rid of the baby stuff or at least put it away.” He brakes at the light and examines me more closely. “Don’t let what I’ve told you scare you off. He’s come a long way, but he’s not there yet.”
“But he seemed so mad, like he wanted to kill me or something. We were fine up until that point, and then he just like snapped and became someone I didn’t even recognize.” I search his face for answers but he lowers his head. It’s like he doesn’t know what to say, and that frightens me more than anything.
“Give him some time to cool off. He’ll come around. Yesterday was the anniversary of their deaths. That might have been what set him off. He’s a little raw right now.” The light changes, and Eric’s dad once again focuses his attention on the road. Shit, I didn’t even know. I was so caught up in all this drama with Lauren that I didn’t even stop and think about what he might be dealing with. I never felt all that comfortable talking to him about Cassidy, but at least I should’ve asked when she
died. Talk about being majorly inconsiderate.
“Do I turn here?” Eric’s dad points up ahead and I nod. We’re already back on campus, but I don’t want to let him go. I want to keep talking, but he has to get Eric to the doctor sometime today. I can’t put my neediness above Eric’s physical well-being. I’m not that selfish—at least I hope I’m not.
“Take a left at the fork and I’m the second building on the right.” We make our way slowly past the science building and the library toward my dorm. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to call it home, but for now it’s all I’ve got.
“Give it a day or two,” he advises as he slips the car into park. “Eric will come around.”
“I hope you’re right, Frank. Thanks for the lift.” I unfasten my seatbelt and pull myself out. There’s a sense of finality to this exchange that’s really creeping me out. But it’s not like I’m never going to see him again, right?
“Oh, and Ivy?” he calls to me out the window.
“Yeah?” I stop and turn around.
“I’d return those clothes you have on. It’ll go a long way in making things right between the two of you.” He gives me a wink before driving away.
So his father thinks Eric wants to move forward with me but that I should give him some time and let him cling to remnants from his past. But where do I fit in this equation? Things seemed so simple when I woke up this morning in Eric’s arms. Now they couldn’t be more complicated.
***
“Seriously? I still can’t believe he kicked you out of his house! What an asshole!” It’s no surprise that Sophie’s amazement is mirroring the incessant chatter of my overactive brain. That’s what friends are for.
We’re lounging in her dorm room, eating ice cream after she drove me to the garage to pick up my newly repaired car. Our next stop was the cell phone store in the mall where I transferred my number to a new model. The first call I made was to my advisor requesting a meeting to discuss my few remaining options. I didn’t reach out to Eric yet.
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